Hampden TB Mk I

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This page is about the British bomber Hampden TB Mk I. For other versions, see Hampden (Family).
hp52_hampden_tbmk1.png
GarageImage Hampden TB Mk I.jpg
ArtImage Hampden TB Mk I.png
Hampden TB Mk I
AB RB SB
1.7 1.7 1.7
Research:3 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:6 300 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The Hampden TB Mk I is a rank I British bomber with a battle rating of 1.7 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.65 "Way of the Samurai".

The Hampden is one of the first few bombers you get in the British tree, and without a doubt defines the style of flying you for the remainder of the tree. Its decent performance combined with all-powerful bomb load can quickly rack your score up into the thousands. On maps like Essen, use your superior speed to bomb the ground targets before any other bombers, then drop your altitude and rearm at the airfield. Then fly low with a bomb delay and hit the remaining targets or bases.

General info

Flight performance

Max speed
at 3 962 m428 km/h
Turn time26 s
Max altitude8 310 m
Engine2 х Bristol Pegasus XVIII
TypeRadial
Cooling systemAir
Take-off weight11 t
Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 3,962 m)
Max altitude
(metres)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(metres/second)
Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 405 388 8310 27.1 28.0 5.3 5.3 366
Upgraded 459 428 24.9 26.0 10.8 7.6

Details

Extremely low-level bombing in the Hampden TB Mk I.
Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
X X
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
506 225 388 359 210 ~5 ~3
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 315 < 310 < 300 > 200

Survivability and armour

Crew4 people
Speed of destruction
Structural0 km/h
Gear225 km/h
  • 9.5 mm Steel plate in front of cockpit on fuselage top.
  • 9.5 mm Steel plate behind the dorsal gunner.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB316 → 426 Sl icon.png
RB462 → 624 Sl icon.png
SB633 → 855 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications5 950 Rp icon.png
4 520 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost410 Ge icon.png
Crew training1 800 Sl icon.png
Experts6 300 Sl icon.png
Aces80 Ge icon.png
Research Aces135 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
30 / 60 / 120 % Sl icon.png
106 / 106 / 106 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
240 Rp icon.png
Cost:
180 Sl icon.png
60 Ge icon.png
Mods radiator.png
Radiator
Research:
240 Rp icon.png
Cost:
180 Sl icon.png
60 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
330 Rp icon.png
Cost:
250 Sl icon.png
80 Ge icon.png
Mods compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
330 Rp icon.png
Cost:
250 Sl icon.png
80 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
370 Rp icon.png
Cost:
280 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mods new engine.png
Engine
Research:
370 Rp icon.png
Cost:
280 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
390 Rp icon.png
Cost:
300 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods metanol.png
Engine injection
Research:
390 Rp icon.png
Cost:
300 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods engine extinguisher.png
EFS
Research:
390 Rp icon.png
Cost:
300 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
bmg303_turret_belt_pack
Research:
240 Rp icon.png
Cost:
180 Sl icon.png
60 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods ammo.png
bmg303_belt_pack
Research:
240 Rp icon.png
Cost:
180 Sl icon.png
60 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
MBC-B
Research:
240 Rp icon.png
Cost:
180 Sl icon.png
60 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods weapon.png
bmg303_new_gun
Research:
330 Rp icon.png
Cost:
250 Sl icon.png
80 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
MBC mk.III
Research:
330 Rp icon.png
Cost:
250 Sl icon.png
80 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods turret gun.png
vikkersK_turret_new_gun
Research:
370 Rp icon.png
Cost:
280 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon torpedo.png
TSC mk.II
Research:
370 Rp icon.png
Cost:
280 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods torpedo bomb.png
SBC mk.II
Research:
390 Rp icon.png
Cost:
300 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow right 0.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
2000
Research:
390 Rp icon.png
Cost:
300 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Offensive armament

Ammunition300 rounds
Fire rate1 000 shots/min
Rear-facing ventral gunner, critical to protecting the lower rear portion of the bomber.
Main article: Browning (7.7 mm)

The Hampden TB Mk I is armed with:

  • 1 x 7.7 mm Browning machine gun, nose-mounted (300 rpg)

Suspended armament

List of setups (9)
Setup 16 x G.P. 250 lb Mk.IV bomb
Setup 22 x G.P. 500 lb Mk.IV bomb
Setup 34 x G.P. 500 lb Mk.IV bomb
Setup 44 x 1000 lb G.P. Mk.I bomb
Setup 51 x 18 inch Mark XII torpedo (1548 lbs)
Setup 66 x G.P. 500 lb Mk.IV bomb
Setup 76 x 500 LB S.A.P. Mk.II bomb
Setup 82 x G.P. 500 lb Mk.IV bomb
4 x 1000 lb G.P. Mk.I bomb
Setup 92 x 2000 LB A.P. Mk.I bomb

The Hampden TB Mk I can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

  • 6 x 250 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (1,500 lb total)
  • 2 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (1,000 lb total)
  • 4 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (2,000 lb total)
  • 4 x 1,000 lb G.P. Mk.I bombs (4,000 lb total)
  • 1 x 18 inch Mark XII torpedo
  • 6 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (3,000 lb total)
  • 4 x 1,000 lb G.P. Mk.I bombs + 2 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (5,000 lb total)

Defensive armament

Turret7.7 mm Vickers K machine gun
Ammunition1000 rounds
Fire rate950 shots/min
2 х Turret7.7 mm Vickers K machine gun
Ammunition1300 rounds
Fire rate950 shots/min
2 х Turret7.7 mm Vickers K machine gun
Ammunition1350 rounds
Fire rate950 shots/min
Main article: Vickers K (7.7 mm)

The Hampden TB Mk I is defended by:

  • 1 x 7.7 mm Vickers K machine gun, nose turret (1,000 rpg)
  • 2 x 7.7 mm Vickers K machine guns, dorsal turret (1,300 rpg = 2,600 total)
  • 2 x 7.7 mm Vickers K machine guns, ventral turret (1,350 rpg = 2,700 total)

Usage in battles

Light armoured vehicles and anti-aircraft artillery evaporate under the Hampden TB Mk I's 6 x 250 lb bombs.

This bomber is strictly that; a bomber. With a mediocre defensive armament and only a single offensive 7.7 mm machine gun, engaging enemy aircraft is an absolute last resort. The lack of defensive capabilities, combined with the thin tail and wings, make the Hampden TB a fragile aircraft. Upon spawning, climb at a very shallow angle to increase your speed and altitude at the same time. When the bomb points are in range, level off and drop your load. This will make you significantly lighter and allow you to return to base extremely quickly. During this time, one must take care to avoid aircraft that will now be at your altitude. A shallow dive will allow a boost in speed, and a corkscrew over the airfield will let you drop the remaining altitude without ripping due to speed.

Usually, you should avoid enemies, and attempt to stay as fast and as unnoticed as possible. Having an escort helps.

The below tactics can be used in all games modes:

How to offensively engage an enemy aircraft:

If you happen to see an enemy aircraft, you should not engage. Only in cases that he is the last enemy player should you dare to attack him. Try and climb above him then dive to get in front of him. Then use your four 7.7 mm defensive machine guns to tear into his cockpit and knock out his pilot, engines and forward gunners.

How to perform defensive fighting:

Should an enemy fighter move to engage you, do not try to outmanoeuvre him. Simply dive and go as low as you safely can while in gunner view and aim for his engine. Try and damage it or give him some nasty leaks to scare him off. If you're lucky he will burst into flames and fall to the ground.

The planes to be feared are usually those that carry cannons or 12.7 mm machine guns. Those planes will easily shred this plane with no problems as it does not react well to damage. Flak will normally result in a pilot snipe, and then a kill, and has a tendency to tear the engines to pieces.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer Pitch Radiator Supercharger Turbocharger
Oil Water Type
Not controllable Controllable
Not auto controlled
Not controllable
Not auto controlled
Controllable
Auto control available
Combined Controllable
2 gears
Not controllable

Pros and cons

Hampton TB MkI AN TRN 26 001.png

Pros:

  • Carries the largest payload of its contemporaries (the maximum payload knocks out two bases)
  • Has a nose-mounted fixed machine gun for pilot usage
  • Rear gunners make short work of chasing biplanes
  • Decent manoeuvrability and speed for a bomber
  • Fuselage is sleek, making it a smaller target
  • Very thin rear section which is hard to hit, especially when under fire from its rear gunner
  • Ability to carry torpedoes

Cons:

  • Terrible roll rate
  • Rear gunners' arc is very limited in side-to-side range and elevation
  • Blind spot between turrets due to the tail - you'll only be able to get one on target at any given time
  • No armour or bulletproof glass
  • Decent dive performance, poor energy retention
  • Very vulnerable in a head-on engagement
  • Very hard to land due to the easily-broken tail and tail section
  • Possibility to face planes with 12.7 mm heavy machine guns and 20 mm cannons
  • Carrying the largest payload option will slow the plane to a crawl
  • Has a tendency to 'buck' when using the heaviest payload after dropping all the 1,000 lbs bombs
  • Hits to the wings can start fuel tank fires due to all the fuel tanks being internally mounted in the wings
  • Does not like to take battle damage

History

Hampton TB MkI AN TRN 26 002.png

The Handley Page Hampden was the last and fastest twin-engined bomber of the "trio" during the Phoney War. It was designed to meet Air Ministry Specification B.9/32 which called for a faster, heavier, and more powerful bomber that would replace the existing Bristol Blenheim and the Armstrong Whitworth Whitley. The designer, G.V Vokert, designed an interesting prototype, designated HP.52. This plane was originally powered by Napier Sabre Dagger engines, but switched to the more powerful Bristol Pegasus radial engines. Originally the Hampden had two Vickers K guns in ventral and dorsal positions, which proved to be inadequate for daylight defence. This was then switched to two Vickers K guns with modifications. The Hampden had many nicknames, because of the slim, compact and cramped fuselage. It was nicknamed the "Flying Suitcase". It was oddly similar in role and appearance to the German fast day-bomber Do 17, nicknamed the "Flying Pencil".

RAF Squadron No.49 was the first to receive their new Hampdens. Bearing the brunt of early bombing raids on Europe. The Hampden proved no match for Luftwaffe fighters. It was subsequently switched to various night time operations, such as mine-laying, bombing raids on German soil, propaganda and torpedo bombing. Despite having great speed and manoeuvrability, the Hampden was declared obsolete and retired from service in 1942.

Media

Skins
Videos

See also

Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

External links


Handley Page Limited
Bombers  Hampden Mk I · Hampden TB Mk I · Halifax B Mk IIIa
Export  ▂Hampden TB Mk I

Britain bombers
Torpedo  Swordfish Mk I · Swordfish Mk II · ▄Avenger Mk II
Dive  V-156-B1
Hydroplanes  ▄Catalina Mk IIIa · Sunderland Mk IIIa · Sunderland Mk V
Light  Blenheim Mk IV · Beaufort Mk VIII · ▄Hudson Mk V · Brigand B 1
Based on A20  ▄Havoc Mk I · ▄Boston Mk I · ▄DB-7
Hampden  Hampden Mk I · Hampden TB Mk I
Wellington  Wellington Mk Ic · Wellington Mk Ic/L · Wellington Mk III · Wellington Mk X
Halifax  Halifax B Mk IIIa
Stirling  Stirling B Mk I · Stirling B Mk III
Lancaster  Lancaster B Mk I · Lancaster B Mk III
Lincoln  Lincoln B Mk II
Shackleton  Shackleton MR.Mk.2